What were the main effects of Thalidomide on babies, and why did this tragedy happen?

General
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The Thalidomide disaster of the late 1950s and early 1960s was a tragic event in medicine. Thalidomide, a drug given to pregnant women for morning sickness, caused serious birth defects in thousands of babies estimates suggest over 10,000 children were affected worldwide. Many were born with missing or shortened arms and legs, while others had heart, ear, or eye defects. The tragedy happened because the drug was not properly tested, and there were no strict regulations to ensure its safety. This disaster led to stronger drug testing rules, better safety checks, and greater awareness of the responsibility to protect patients, especially pregnant women and their unborn children.

MBH/AB

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The Thalidomide tragedy is a sobering reminder of why rigorous drug testing and patient safety regulations are non-negotiable. It shaped modern pharmacology and ethics, highlighting our responsibility to protect the most vulnerable especially mothers and unborn children.

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The Thalidomide tragedy led to major improvements in drug safety and testing standards worldwide. It also strengthened the commitment to protecting pregnant women and ensuring medicines are thoroughly tested before use.